comment

CARMEL, N.Y. - A Larchmont police captain, his wife and two teenaged daughters were killed early Tuesday morning in an
inferno
that destroyed their Carmel home. The only surviving family member was released from the hospital Tuesday morning, officials said.

Flames engulfed Thomas Sullivan's home on Wyndham Lane within minutes early Tuesday and when firefighters arrived soon after the 2 a.m. alarm was received the two-story home was a "ball of fire," according to Carmel Fire Department Chief Robert Lipton.

Lipton sounded a general alarm and requested mutual aid from surrounding communities.

"I never saw such an intense fire," he said. "Neighbors were running around, many of them screaming uncontrollably. Flames were blowing out of the front of the building. In minutes the home was destroyed. Anyone inside didn't have a chance."

Killed in the blaze was Thomas Sullivan, 48, whose body was located on a rear deck. Authorities said he attempted to escape and jumped out of an upstairs window. His wife, Donna, 47, and the couple's daughters Megan, 17 and Mairead, 12, were also killed.

The only survivor was 20-year-old Thomas Sullivan Jr., who managed to escape, fire officials said. He was taken to Danbury Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and released Tuesday morning. He is staying with his grandparents, said Putnam County Executive Mary Ellen Odell.

The elder Sullivan was a captain with the
Larchmont Police Department
. Sullivan began his police career with the New York City Police Department in January 1986 and joined the Larchmont Police Department in August 1992, according to the police department's
website
.

As fire crews, police and investigators searched the rubble of the once two-story home, members of the Larchmont Police Department arrived on the scene and prayed. One high ranking officer said he was too upset to comment. Officers at Larchmont police headquarters also declined to comment.

Carmel Supervisor Kenneth Schmitt described the horrific events as "unimaginable."

"Tom Sullivan and his family were supportive of our community when it came to youth sports," Schmitt said. "He was instrumental in the creation of Camarda Park off Seminary Hill Road."

Schmitt called Sullivan a "great guy. I knew him personally. We ran across each other over the years when I served on the Carmel PD while he served his police department in Larchmont with great pride."

Odell , who knew the family well, was shocked by the news. Soon after arriving at the fire scene in the early morning hours, Odell called the victims "great people."

"Tommy and Donna were incredible. He coached our kids in youth sports for years. He was funny, generous and an all-around good guy," Odell said. "Donna was a wonderful mother and the girls were adorable. Tommy Jr. was a special kid as well. He attended JFK High School with my own son. I promise you that our community will wrap its arms around this young man."

Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, Mahopac and Kent assisted at the scene.